Pakistan strengthen bowling options for SA tour

Pakistan have added pacers, Rahat Ali and Tanvir Ahmed for the upcoming tour of South Africa. They are expected to join the squad ahead of the 1st Test which starts on February 1st at the New Wanderers stadium, Johannesburg.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), said that the team, which is currently playing a warm-up fixture against an South African Invitational XI in East London had specifically requested for sending some extra fast bowlers.

"After considering the conditions and duration of the tour in South Africa the Pakistan team management has requested the national selection committee to send two fast bowlers," said a PCB press release, adding that they would reach South Africa before the start of the first Test on Friday.

Tanvir Ahmed, 34 played the last of his 4 Tests in West Indies in 2011 and has also featured in two ODI matches while the 24 year old Ali played in one ODI against Sri Lanka last year.

On the other hand, South Africa have called up Imran Tahir as a c over for the injured, Robin Peterson ahead of the 1st Test. Peterson split his webbing during the recently concluded ODI series against New Zealand but is expected to recover in time for the Johannesburg Test.

"We are confident that Robbie will be fit to play," Cricket South Africa selection convener Andrew Hudson said. "But it is prudent to have a cover player for him available to take a full part in the team's preparation this week."

Tahir played his last test against Australia at the Adelaide Oval in November, 2012, where he returned with terrible figures of 0/180 prompting the team management to send him home early from the tour in order to get his confidence back.

Pakistan are touring South Africa for a full series for the first time since 2007. The tour comprises of 3 Tests, 5 ODIs and two T20I matches.